Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Salix humboldtiana Willd. 'Pyramidalis'

Synonyms

Salix chilensis Molina
Salix chilensis Molina 'Fastigiata'
Salix humboldtiana Willd.
Salix humboldtiana Willd. var. fastigiata André

Family

Salicaceae

Common Names

Chilean Pencil Willow, Chilean willow, Humboldt's willow, pencil willow

Origin

Salix humboldtiana is native to southern Mexico, Central America (i.e. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and South America (i.e. Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Chile). Pencil willow (Salix humboldtiana 'Pyramidalis') is a cultivar of this species developed in horticulture.

Naturalised Distribution

This species is becoming naturalised in the coastal districts of eastern Australia (i.e. in eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland). It is also sparingly naturalised in central Queensland and possibly naturalised in south-western Western Australia.

Notes

Pencil willow (Salix humboldtiana 'Pyramidalis') is regarded as a potential or emerging environmental weed in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. It is one of the willows (Salix spp.) that together as a group are regarded as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS).

This species is commonly planted in gardens in Australia, especially along fence lines and driveways. In its native range it is found along streams or in swamps and marshes, and it invades the same habitats in this country.